Volunteer Counsellor

Via has a long history of delivering treatment services in London, the Southeast, and East of England. Via is proud to be the lead provider in the new partnerships responsible for treatment services as well as performance and quality standard in the borough of Brent. Working in partnership with other agencies, our substance misuse services enable us to deliver a fully recovery-focused model of treatment that is forward-looking, innovative, and committed to the achievement of positive outcomes for all our service users.

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About the counselling service

Our counselling service provides service users with the opportunity to meet in private with a counsellor for typically between 6 and 12 weekly, fifty-minute sessions to discuss issues and concerns, which are currently making life difficult. These could include any of the following and more: addictions, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, self-harm, relationship difficulties, loss of purpose or meaning, family difficulties, loss and bereavement, anger, depression, trauma etc.

About the role        

As a Volunteer Counsellor, you will support the delivery of a wide range of interventions for service users. These will include:

• See a minimum of 3 clients and a maximum of 6 clients per week (1 day). Keep accurate records of work in line with Via expectations and feedback any issues to the line manager (counselling lead) and clinical supervisor. Attend ongoing training in discussion with your clinical supervisor. Adhere to all Via policies and procedures.

In addition to the above you will be invited to participate in meetings where relevant and to carry out other tasks as deemed necessary to support the needs of the counselling service.

What skills do I need?

The role would be ideal for someone looking to develop their therapeutic experience in the drug and alcohol field and accrue some counselling hours towards your future accreditation with BPS, BACP, UKCP. While some knowledge of the sector is desirable, we are specifically looking for people who have a passion for the work that we do. A positive attitude, inclusive approach and the desire to learn are essential, as is a non-judgemental and supportive approach to people who are facing problems with drugs and alcohol.